I hate you too

Two weeks passed, and the day for Ana and Felicia's judgment had finally arrived. The courtroom at the Supreme Court in New York City was packed. Cameras lined every angle, broadcasting the high-profile trial live across multiple news stations.

Raymond stood as Xavier's legal representative, sharp and confident as ever. Across the room, a surprisingly young and delicate-looking woman stepped forward to defend Ana and Felicia. She couldn't have been more than a recent law school graduate—small-framed, calm, almost fragile. But her eyes gleamed with sharp intelligence, a silent warning not to underestimate her.

The trial commenced.

"Your Honor," Raymond began, voice firm, "the woman standing here is the mastermind behind the criminal setup involving Mr. Chen. Together with Felicia Banks, she orchestrated a scheme that framed an innocent man for rape and murder. I would like to present concrete evidence to support my claim."

"Go ahead," the judge responded, giving a subtle nod.

Raymond pressed a button, and the screen lit up with videos and images of Ana—also known as Wild Cat—meeting with Rebecca and Jennie. The footage showed whispered exchanges, sneaky documents, and envelopes passed beneath tables.

The opposing lawyer stepped forward. "Objection, Your Honor. These visuals merely show women spending time together. There is no clear connection between these meetings and any criminal offense involving Mr. Chen."

The judge turned to Raymond. "Can you substantiate your point further?"

"With your permission, I'd like to call the victim to the stand," Raymond said.

Rebecca walked into the courtroom, poised but visibly emotional.

She recounted her story—how she had been manipulated, how Jennie had drugged her at Ana's request, and how Xavier had unknowingly been dragged into the trap. Her voice trembled as she mentioned the threats she received, the fake letters, the planted money, and how Xavier had taken her in when she had nowhere else to go.

"These are the threats," she said, holding out the letters. "The envelopes and notes that were left for me."

The young defense lawyer shot up. "Objection. The notes don't carry a name or signature. Anyone could have written them. That doesn't directly implicate my clients."

Becca blinked in shock. The woman might have been young, but she was quick—sharp-tongued and unshaken.

Raymond, however, remained unfazed. "Then let's dig deeper."

He played a damning clip: Jennie and Wild Cat laughing as they watched a replay of Xavier and Rebecca's night in the hotel. Their voices were clear.

"That should earn us what we want," Jennie had said. "You're a genius, Ana."

Gasps filled the courtroom.

Then came another video—Ana and Felicia panicking, talking about escaping once they realized Xavier had started investigating. And finally, a grim video of both women being interrogated and confessing under pressure. The evidence was ironclad.

"Do you have any objection to this, Counselor?" the judge asked the young defense lawyer.

She opened her mouth, then closed it. Silence.

The courtroom went still.

"For the crimes of murder, orchestrating a false rape accusation, and illegal dealings with the underworld," the judge declared, "Annastecia McCall and Felicia Banks are hereby sentenced to forty-six years in prison with hard labor."

"No! No! Your Honor, please—have mercy!" Ana screamed as officers held her back. Her eyes locked onto Xavier's. "I hate you, Xavier! I will destroy you! Just wait—I swear it!"

She struggled, wailing, until the police finally dragged her away. Felicia, quiet and defeated, didn't resist. She had always known this day would come. Deep down, she had just hoped for mercy.

Xavier stared at them coldly. "I hate you too," he muttered under his breath.

There was something more in that look he exchanged with Ana. A history neither he nor Ana had spoken of. Rebecca could feel it in the air, but who was she to ask?

Outside, New York buzzed. The media exploded with the news—Xavier's name cleared, the truth unveiled. But what stunned everyone even more was how the world now knew how Xavier and Becca had truly met.

And as if on cue, Xavier turned to Becca, picked her up, and spun her around joyfully. Cameras flashed. Reporters screamed.

He dipped her low and kissed her deeply—passionately—right where the cameras could see.

"See, love? We prevailed after all," he whispered.

Becca, cheeks flaming, playfully slapped his chest. "Xavier! We're outside!"